Dozens turn out for Pegswood Big Clean

Anna Smith Chief Reporter

Spring cleaning has been taken to epic proportions by Northumberland villagers.

The first Pegswood Big Clean has taken place in the Cookswell Estate, with five skips of rubbish collected.

A lot of time and thought has gone into the planning of these events, and we are delighted with how this first Big Clean event has gone.

Paul Williams,
Chairman of the Pegswood Parish Council Environment Group

The event was organised by Pegswood Parish Council, in partnership with Pegswood Community Action (PCA), after monthly litter picks started to see a fall-off in volunteers.

The council decided to pay for skips to be delivered directly to the estate to help residents who might otherwise struggle to take rubbish to the tip.

And as well as collecting garden and household waste, the initiative included litter picks around the area.

Leaflets were delivered to residents during the fortnight leading up to the event to let them know the dates and times, and dozens turned out for the Big Clean on Saturday, March 21.

Initially, four skips were delivered by Sanders Waste Management at 9am, but they were filling up so quickly than another one was ordered.

Volunteers from the parish council and PCA mucked in to give residents a hand with larger waste items from their spring clean, while children snapped up litter-pickers and went straight to work filling bags.

Chairman of the council’s Environment Group Paul Williams said: “A lot of time and thought has gone into the planning of these events, and we are delighted with how this first Big Clean event has gone.

“It’s an idea that came out of discussions with PCA and the council would like to thank it for its support and enthusiasm.

“One of the main activities of the council is to help manage and improve the local environment and we really hope that residents will benefit from this, and help continue the good work done by all on Saturday, March 21.”

The partnership is now planning to repeat the Big Clean in other parts of the village, with a further four areas identified for action in the coming months. Information leaflets will be delivered before the events, and residents will be invited to help out.

For more details email office@pegswood-pc.gov.uk or call 01670 514299.